The user going by "Dodsworth the Cat" demonstrates with his review, that he has failed
to understand the significance of this films message, which is one of common interest.
The film helps to teach, that to reflect upon our behaviour and consider how it will influence future development, is in the best interest of everyone.

All his review does is deflect from what is actually being presented, so in effect his review and expressed attitude towards something that is a most serious subject, is disrespect towards the law (Quod tibi hoc alteri.).

This very disrespect, as the film so beautifully shows, confluences with another aspect of the reviewers displayed lack of understanding of the danger of behavioural propagation and formation of habit patterns which cause harm.

Millions of feeling individuals, our animal coin-habitants, being abused and murdered in most horrifying conditions is proof how dangerous not taking behaviour considerations serious is, as the lawyer in this film explains with other examples.

You disrespect the law (and todays "laws" tolerating commercial animal abuse are disrespecting the law), and the result is unimaginable pain and suffering.

The guy who played Eddie in "Developing Friendships" (Coronet, 1950) stars in this film as Kent Lawrence, a young man who wants free legal advice after he and some friends stole some lumber.
There's a bust-a-gut moment when some far-too-dramatic music fills the soundtrack as bandits rob Kent's home and smack his sister.
And I love the threatening fist raised by tough-guy Joey. He may have had acting lessons in high school but evidently has never had boxing lessons.
"Laws are wiser than any man," sayeth the lawyer, What? Who does he think wrote and passed laws, aardvarks? A screed against gambling houses is tossed in.
We learn that stealing two cents as a child leads someone to pack a rod and try to rob a store where a police officer is conveniently standing to arrest him (the guy somehow didn't notice the cop).
We also see the Constitution of a country that didn't like English law, so it got rid of the law by using weapons to become independent. (At no time does this film say laws can be unjust and changed).
Being a Coronet film, there's a happy ending with Joey instantly agreeable and smiling.
Woody's mom from Coronet's "Dating Dos and Don'ts" (1949) is Kent's mother.

WHY WE RESPECT THE LAW was an effective basic film made to teach the 1950's youngsters why it's important to follow the laws. Well acted and directed.

dynayellow - You seem to draw the strangest conclusions from reasonably simple lines. Me thinks you have an unhealthy obsession with 1950's consumerism (which was hilariously spoofed by Ernie Kovacs during the 1950's itself).
Steve Nordby - Your review is little more than political complaints that have nothing to do with this film. Oh yeah, and the President of the US at this time was a Democrat. So what do republicans have to do with this silly film?

What more is there to say? A lawyer is spouting "Respect for the law" with a straight face! Even decent and honest lawyers can't do that!

A young whelp goes into a law office, to talk with a lawyer because, well he feels guilty about stealing some boards for his baseball field, and well, the lumber company won't miss them. "Give me your shoes" the lawyer barks, "what?" whippersnapper says. Lawyer says again, "Give me your shoes, you won't miss them"! The whelp understands, but the lawyer keeps on going and going using example after example of why stealing is bad and why the law is needed. Pretty soon, he talks the kid into convincing him and his fellow thieves to work to earn the wood. Very very strange, just a tad too long.
Bonus points for the house break in scene!

This film is great because it displays contradictictory opinions that behaviorists and Republicans hold: society's laws are the laws of nature, yet it's not a crime if you don't get caught! You see, it is your attitude and respect for the law that is the problem, not the laws themselves. Law is infallible, and you must be punished or you will not respect the law. Don't ruin your life! Obey! OBEY!

And so lawyer enlists poor Kent to snitch on his co-defendants. Yow!

Kent steals some lumber from a construction site to build a backstop for his baseball team. He's not sure why the owner is raising such a ruckus about this, so he consults his father's lawyer.

In the most jaw-droppingly awful defense of the law ever put to film, the lawyer steals Kent's shoes, imagines a world where hillbillies attack homes at random, and makes the following deductions:

- The universe has physical laws, therefore laws are a part of nature.
- A child who starts out stealing pennies from his mother's change will end up an armed felon.

He actually says, "Peace and happiness are impossible unless our individual possessions are secure." So remember, things = happiness.

For pure 50s Cold War mentality, to steal a line from Spuzz, this is a MUST SEE on this site.